Pilot error blamed for fatal crash
Helicopter pilot Murray Sarginson flew an overloaded aircraft in cloudy conditions before the death of his friend and business partner, a judge has found.
New father Liam Edwards, 32, was the passenger in Sarginson’s Robinson R22 when it crashed in the Lindis Pass on April 30, 2016. He was found dead nearby shortly afterwards.
In a written decision, Judge Bernadette Farnan found Sarginson guilty of reckless conduct and failing to comply with his duty, exposing individuals to risk of death or serious injury or serious illness, under health and safety legislation.
The charges were brought by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The men were flying from Athol, in Southland, to Mt Algidus Station, in Canterbury. Their earthmoving business, AgWorks, was contracted to work at the station. They were in a Robinson R22 Beta helicopter co-owned by Sarginson and his Cromwellbased nephew, Ben Sarginson.
Murray Sarginson told the court the weather was clear when he left Athol but the pair became surrounded by fog as they flew through the Lindis Pass.
He said he hovered near a hillside but lost sight of the ground as the fog increased. ‘‘I must have just clipped a blade on the hill.’’ There was a bang, then silence before he felt the helicopter roll on top of him.
He said he freed himself from the wreckage, and found Edwards sitting beside the helicopter and holding his arm. Edwards got up and walked away, saying he was going to find help.
Searchers later found Edwards unconscious and tried to resuscitate him, but he was declared dead at the scene.
Pathologist Dr Martin Sage determined that Edwards’ death was caused by high-energy impact injuries causing multiple fractures to his ribs and pelvis.
Sarginson suffered chest and head injuries.
Judge Farnan’s decision says Sarginson used an appropriate weather forecasting service on the day of the crash, but his
evidence regarding the weather conditions in the Lindis Pass was not credible.
Several witnesses spoke of extensive cloud ‘‘coming and going’’ in the Mackenzie Basin. ‘‘The defendant’s decision to fly down through the cloud therefore exposed Mr Edwards to this hazard and the risk of serious injury or death,’’ the decision says.
The judge also found that the helicopter was overloaded and out of balance when it took off.
At the time of the crash, it weighed 654.5 kilograms, significantly more than the allowable gross weight of 621.4kg. It had used about 50 litres of fuel since leaving Athol.
Sarginson claimed he made a ‘‘mental’’ weight check before departing, but Judge Farnan said that did not happen. ‘‘If he had done so, he would have recognised that the aircraft was overloaded.’’
Defence counsel Colin Withnall indicated during the trial that he might challenge whether Edwards died as a result of the crash. The judge has allowed time for him to file a memorandum on the issue before Sarginson is sentenced on April 29.